Horror spoof, greek tragedy, modern drama among plays in 2006-2007 theatre season

Sophocles, a magic lamp, biting social commentary from Neil LaBute and unpleasant sorority sisters represent just some of the wide diversity of the 2006-2007 theatre season at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Presented by the communications and theatre arts department, the season kicks off with Electra by Sophocles, on the stage of the Lab Theatre, room 123 of the Drama Arts building. This classic tale of revenge will be performed on Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 4-5, at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, Oct. 8, at 2:30 p.m.

The annual fundraiser production offers parody of the horror genre with Sorority Sisters from Hell, by associate professor of communications and theatre arts Dr. Patrick Faherty, Stephanie Wright and the play’s cast. Performance dates and times are Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 25-26, at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27-28, at midnight and Tuesday, Oct. 31, at 7:30 p.m. The play will be performed at Jones Auditorium.

Boy’s Life by Howard Korder offers a wry look at three twentysomethings finding their way in life after completing college. The Pulitzer Prize-nominated play will be performed on Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 15-16, at 7:30 p.m., and on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 2:30 p.m. in the Little Theatre.

The children’s production for this season is Aladdin, to be performed at Jones Auditorium. The public can see a preview of the work on Sunday, Feb. 4, at 7:30 p.m. Following that are morning performances for area public schools Feb. 5-9.

The Life of Frederick Douglass, adapted for the stage by Michael Verderber, takes the stage of the Little Theatre Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 21-22, at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance on Sunday, Feb. 25, at 2:30 p.m.

Neil LaBute’s Fat Pig examines the tensions that arise when a mid-level executive begins dating a plus-sized librarian. The play runs Monday-Wednesday, March 5-7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Lab Theatre, room 123 of the Drama Arts building.

The closing production for the season will be Luis Santeiro’s Our Lady of the Tortilla. This whimsical play focuses on the ups and downs of the Cruz family over a wild, miracle-filled weekend. The play will be performed in the Little Theatre Wednesday and Thursday, April 4-5, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 8, at 2:30 p.m.

Admission to all shows for this season is $3, except the annual fundraising production Sorority Sisters from Hell, with its admission set at $5.